Ars Technica reports (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090116-online-gamers-in-china-must-soon-register-with-real-names.html) that online gamers will soon be required by law to use their real names when registering for online games.
According to the report, Zhang Yijun, director of the General Administration of Press and Publication's technology and digital publication department in China, stated that the Chinese government will be implementing a system of online game based registration which requires gamers to use their real name, and their government ID code. The "real-name system" is meant to monitor the use of online games, and to help prevent issues with addiction.
As detailed in 2006 by Kou Xiaowei, vice-direct of GAPP's A/V, Electronics, and Internet Administration department: A "real-name system" has three sub-systems: One, a registration system that discriminates according to ID information; Two, an inquiry system that is open to the community and can allow parents to check whether their children are playing games; Three, a confirmation system that has the cooperation of the PSB to confirm the registered information.
What was once an idea in 2006 is now becoming law, and thus far the Chinese government has shown that it takes both internet and game addiction very seriously. While time will tell exactly how much time spent by an individual playing MMO games is too much according to the government, game developers are already being held responsible in Chinese markets for ensuring that anti-addiction systems are in place. Four developers of MMO style games have already had their operations ceased for not complying with anti-addiction measures.
While China is ahead of the curve in working through law to reduce time spent in MMO games, debates have raged on in other countries in relation to the addictive properties of MMO titles. One has to wonder if it's only a matter of time before other countries begin to enforce similiar policies.
So if you plan to play WoW while in China, you may suddenly find yourself disconnected if the government there thinks you're raiding too much
Source (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Chinese-MMO-Law-Real-Name,news-3328.html)

Encore

22-01-09, 15:17

China doesn't want super nerds in their country!

Mad Tony

22-01-09, 16:44

They probably want to prosecute anybody who speaks out against them [the Chinese government] on WoW, too.

irjudd

22-01-09, 16:53

Some ****er cuts off my gaming there would be hell to pay

http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/ut1/rocketwhore.gif

interstellardave

22-01-09, 17:17

I'm surprised western nations aren't doing this already. The safety police have come down on alcohol, cigarettes, other various drugs... there's a lot of heavy hinting about food too... so why not online gaming?

It's all about our well-being, of course... :whi:

spikejones

22-01-09, 17:47

well.... i can see the point about "addiction". in fact, if you ever played "Perfect World" which is hosted in Malaysia - they have an annoying banner that pops up saying something to the effect of "players be advised that extended gameplay can be harmful to your health". I can see the point in having that, but to say that they are putting in restrictions making users register with their real names and gov issued ID number is ridiculous. i mean... what if people from other nations want to register for the game, how would they implement that? they can't make Americans register with their SSN.

Punaxe

22-01-09, 18:07

Perhaps the idea of registering with real names is also aimed towards the easier apprehension of those who steal virtual goods and stuff. Other than that... Playing is only being done in the players' free time (or what soon will be free time :p) and in their private homes. Restricting it in that situation would be putting it on the same shelf drugs, the way I see it... Seems a bit too far if you ask me.

Draco

22-01-09, 19:37

Silliness, frankly I am surprised china of all places is that worried about their populations wellbeing...sofar the mmo craze has helped them a ton with population control.

Gregori

22-01-09, 19:44

Ahh sure all a bunch of gold miners anyways....

Lara's Backpack

22-01-09, 23:48

Silliness, frankly I am surprised china of all places is that worried about their populations wellbeing...sofar the mmo craze has helped them a ton with population control.

:vlol:

Olabelle

22-01-09, 23:51

Good god, sometimes I seriously wonder what's wrong with people.

Why is it that if you play videogames a lot it's an addiction, yet if you read a lot of books it's good for you.

irjudd

23-01-09, 18:21

Are you addicted to Sesame Street books? :cln:

Olabelle

23-01-09, 22:28

:vlol:

To me, playing videogames is no differant than any other hobby. All depends on how the person handles it.

takamotosan

23-01-09, 22:30

isn't communism fun?

EmeraldFields

23-01-09, 23:57

isn't communism fun?

http://www.noiselabs.com/blog/images/communist_party_t-shirt.gif

I have this T-shirt!:D

Dustie

24-01-09, 00:03

Silliness, frankly I am surprised china of all places is that worried about their populations wellbeing...sofar the mmo craze has helped them a ton with population control.
Lol you think so? Is there an article on that also? :P

rowanlim

24-01-09, 00:21

I just shook my head & clucked when I read the OP. China doesn't surprise me anymore.